80% of U.S. wind power comes from 12 states

Dive Brief:

In 2013, 12 states accounted for 80% of U.S. wind-generated electricity, a combined total of 134 million megawatt-hours.

Texas was the top wind power state with nearly 36 million megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity. Iowa was second, with more than 15 million MWh.

California’s wind production was third and, for the first time, beat its geothermal output. Oklahoma was next, followed by Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Colorado, Washington, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Dive Insight:

The U.S. got 167 million MWh of electricity from wind in 2013, or 4.1% of U.S. generation. It was a 19% increase over 2012’s 3.5% of U.S. generation.

Texas has been setting records for wind production over and over this windy Spring as a result of increased transmission capacity. The California grid operator recently told this reporter record wind production is also expected.

23 states increased wind generation more than 10% over 2012 production. 37 states reported some wind-generated electricity. Iowa led in net electricity production from wind with 27.4%. South Dakota was second at 26% while Kansas, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado, Oregon, Wyoming, and Texas all got more than twice the national 4.1% level.